Why is it necessary to have dental fillings checked regularly for tooth decay?

Doctor's Answers 1

Dental filling materials (composite, amalgam, ceramic etc) do not decay but the tooth surrounding the filling can still decay even after the filling has been completed.

Plaque accumulation can roughen composite and damage the bond at the edges of the filling. Over a long time in the mouth, composite wear out and degrades, especially in areas with heavy biting pressure.

Ultimately, fillings ARE NOT A CURE for decay. Fillings are done as a last resort when the decay process has caused irreversible cavitation (formation of a hole/cavity) in the tooth surface.

Tooth decay is a disease of the mouth, not of the teeth, so proper prevention is required to change the oral environment to a healthier state. If this is neglected, having fillings done repeatedly will be a pointless exercise since at the end, the teeth will still end up becoming so destroyed by repeated decay that they are no longer structurally sound.

Similar Questions

How do dentists detect tooth decay during routine examinations?

There are 4 methods to detect decay, and the best method depends on the exact location of the cavity and also the stage of decay. Essentially, large cavities are easier to detect but are more complicated to treat. 1) Visual This is done by scanning your teeth surfaces that have been dried and observing colour or textural changes. This is routinely done during all dental examinations. Detection of cavities is improved with good light and magnification (using loupes or even a microscope).

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Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

Does tooth decay in baby teeth affect adult teeth?

Tooth decay is a contagious oral bacterial disease. These bacteria produce acids in the presence of sugar and these acids soften the teeth. When cavities appear in the mouth, it is a signal to paediatric dentists that the mouth is in imbalance. The amount of bacteria and the volume of acids being produced in the mouth is overwhelming — more than what the body and immune system can handle. Although the baby tooth with the decay may have fallen out, the bacteria remains along with their acid producing ability. This creates an oral environment conducive to more decay.

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Human

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